Guo Da Li (Teochew and Hokkien)
Gifts for the Groom to bring over
- *Teochew Only * Straw Basket (To carry gifts over)
- *Hokkien Only* Black and Red Basket (To carry gifts over)
- 1 angbao with betrothal gift money 聘金 (Typically an amount with 8)
- 2 pair of double happiness candles (2 dragon and 2 phoenix full wax candles)
- 6 (minimum) Pig trotters (Available in cans. Gift for mother-in-law)
- Hard liquor or red/white wine (Gift for father-in-law)
- Traditional wedding cakes (For bride’s family to distribute to relatives)
- 8-12 oranges (Symbolises good luck)
- 12-16 apples (Symbolises peace)
- *Teochew Only* Peanut candy (To have offspring soon)
- *Teochew Only* Sesame candy (To have many offspring)
- *Hokkien Only* Rice candy (For prosperity)
- *Teochew Only* Lao Ma Gor 老嫲糕 (A type of wedding pastry. Skip if the bride’s grandma is not around)
- *Teochew Only* Banana 连招贵子 (To bring in children )
- A pair of coconuts 有爷有子 (Homophone for Grandfather and Child. To have a family with multi-generation)
- Charcoal (To symbolise the bride having a good life after marriage)
- Black Moss, Fa Cai 发菜 (To strike rich)
- Jewellery (For the bride)
- 1 Gift box 礼金盒 containing:
- Jewellery (For the bride)
- *Teochew Only* 4 pieces of gold jewelry 四点金 (Ring, earrings, necklace and bangle. Will be given by groom’s parents during tea ceremony but need to be presented during Betrothal Gift Ceremony)
- Dried Longan (Bless with a dragon boy)
- Red date 鸿运当头 (To have good fortune)
- Lily bulbs 百年好合 (A harmonious union)
- Walnut/ Peanut 和和气气 ( To have harmony)
- Lotus seeds 连连生子 (To have many children)
- Dried tangerine 大吉大利 (To have great luck)
- Pine tree leaf 长寿 (If bride’s family has grandparents. Symbolized longevity and health, health and vitality for couple),
- Dried melon slice 甜甜蜜蜜 ( Sweet life together)
- Different grains like red beans, green beans, wheat, soy beans, barley and rice. (To bless the couple to have bountiful harvests)
- Double happiness stickers
- Red banner to hang over door
- 2 cans of tea leaves and 2 packets of white sesame seeds (To symbolize seeds growing into trees)
Gifts for the Bride’s family to return
- Gold Ring, or watch, or cufflinks, or belt, or wallet with an Ang Bao inserted (For the groom)
- 2 bottles of orange juice or syrup (For good luck)
- Portion of the gift received from groom (Usually half will be returned)
- Huat kueh 发糕 (Symbolize prosperity)
Dowry from Bride’s family ( Groom to bring the items back to the bridal chamber) - Furniture such as bed, mattress or dressing table
- 1 Sewing machine/Sewing kit (To be bound together)
- 1 Ruler (To have many children and grandchildren)
- *Hokkien Only* Sugar Cane 同甘共苦 ( To go through thick and thin together)
- Essentials 子孙三宝 ( To symbolize fertility)
- Bath Basin
- Wash basin
- Spittoon
- Mug
- Towel
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Linen (Pillow covers and bed sheet)
- Tea set (For tea ceremony at groom’s side)
- Bowl set
- 2 pair of Chopstick 早生贵子 (To have off springs soon)
- 1 pair of Bedside Lamp 添丁发财 (To symbolize fertility and wealth)
- 1 Red umbrella (To be left in bride’s home for use on wedding day)
- Fate coins 大缘小缘 (For setting up matrimonial bed 安床. Place some at 4 corners of the bed, of the room and in cupboards and drawers)
- Jewellery (optional)
*Content provided by House of Etiquette and compiled by www.topphotography.com.sg
